Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice
The Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice offers undergraduate courses leading to both the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Bachelor of Science degree. Majors include criminal justice, political science, and a political science concentrations in American Politics, International Relations, and Pre-Law. Minors are available in criminal justice and political science. The department also offers the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. For information, contact the Office of Graduate Studies & External Programs or visit the NGCSU website.
Political Science majors have the option of selecting from five degree programs: a Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Bachelor of Science (BS), an American Politics concentration culminating in either an BA or BS degree, an International Relations concentration culminating in an BA degree, or a pre-law concentration culminating in the BS degree. The traditional political science degree provides a well-rounded background in the discipline as well as enabling students to focus on areas of interest to them. The department is particularly strong in American political institutions (presidency, congress, and courts), public administration, constitutional law, international relations, and Asian, Latin American, and Western European politics. Students can choose an BA degree that requires an additional course in a modern foreign language or a BS degree that substitutes a course in computer science. The AP, IR, and pre-law concentrations are designed to prepare students for specialized careers by developing the skills needed to succeed in those respective fields. These concentrations require internship or study abroad experiences.
The Criminal Justice Program reflects the growing academic emphasis of the discipline. Criminal Justice is not a narrow technical or vocational discipline. It is a social science discipline focusing on the complexities of human behavior. The curriculum of the major provides a broad conceptual framework of the discipline. The program seeks to develop leaders in the field who are able to integrate and augment the knowledge of the discipline.
Students cannot exceed nine hours of D grades in their major courses. For political science majors this requirement includes all courses with either a POLS or a SOSC prefix. For criminal justice majors this includes all courses with a CRJU or a SOSC prefix.
MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
BACHELOR OF ARTS OR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Core Curriculum Requirements - 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 86. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown on next page.
Area A no exceptions
Area B no exceptions
Area C no exceptions
Area D no exceptions
Area E Political Science majors should not take POLS 1101 or ECON 2105 in Area E. These courses must be taken in Area F.
Area F. Courses Related To The Area Of Study - 18 hours
POLS 1101 - 3 hours
POLS 2101 - 3 hours
POLS 2401 - 3 hours
ECON 2105 - 3 hours
Language, 1002 - 3 hours
Language (required for B.A.), 2001 or 2002 or (option for B.S.) 3 hours computer science course work - 3 hours
MAJOR AREA
1. Required Courses (9 hours)
SOSC 3301 - 3 hours
SOSC 3302 - 3 hours
POLS 4470 - 3 hours
2. One course in Political Science from 3100 or 4100 series. - 3 hours (American Politics)
3. One course in Political Science from 4200 series. - 3 hours (International Relations)
4. One course in Political Science 4300 series. - 3 hours (Political Theory)
5. Major electives (12 hours)
Any four upper level Political Science courses*
*Only 3 hours of an internship can be used to fulfill credit hour require ments in the major area. The remaining hours are considered as electives.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Courses in the minor — 15-18 credit hours prescribed by the minor department. A minor should be chosen on the basis of its appropriateness to a student’s scholarly interests and career goals and after consultation with the major advisor. Any field may be used to fulfill the minor requirements, but the following are recommended: English, history, foreign language, psychology, sociology, criminal justice.
Electives — 12-15 credit hours to bring the total number of credit hours to at least 120 hours, exclusive of physical education requirement.
Basic Physical Education Requirement
Military Science Requirement (for military students)
U.S. & Georgia Constitution and History Requirements
Regents' Skills Test or exemption (see page 79-80)
Concentration in Political Science/Pre-Law
Bachelor of Science
Core Curriculum Requirements - 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the Core Curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 86. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.
Area A no exceptions
Area B no exceptions
Area C no exceptions
Area D no exceptions
Area E Political Science majors with a pre-law concentration should not take POLS 1101 in Area E. This course is required in Area F.
Area F: Courses Related To The Area Of Study - 18 hours
POLS 1101 - 3 hours
POLS 2101 - 3 hours
POLS 2401 - 3 hours
ACCT 2101 - 3 hours
CRJU 1100 - 3 hours
Language 1002 - 3 hours
MAJOR AREA
1. Required Courses (33 hours)
SOSC 3301 (Research Methods) - 3 hours
SOSC 3302 (Statistics for the Social Sciences - 3 hours
Choose 3 from the following:
POLS 4112 (Judicial Processes)
POLS 3105 (Constitutional Law)
POLS 4120 (Civil Liberties)
CRJU 3000 (Criminal Law)
CRJU 3010 (Criminal Procedures)
One upper level writing intensive course - 3 hours
Any 3000 - 4000 level English course - 3 hours
POLS 4470 (Senior Seminar in Political Science) - 3 hours
POLS 4485c (Internship in Political Science) - 9 hours
2. One 3100 or 4100 series Political Science course (American Politics) - 3 hours
3. One 3200 or 4200 series Political Science course (International relations) - 3 hours
4. One 3300 or 4300 series Political Science course (Political Theory) - 3 hours
5. Major electives (6 hours)
Two upper level Political Science courses not taken in upper level subfields - 6 hours
Electives: 12 credit hours to bring the total number of credit hours to at least 120 hours, exclusive of basic physical education requirement.
Basic Physical Education Requirements
Military Science Requirements (for military students)
U.S. & Georgia Constitution and History Requirement
Regents' Skills Test or exemption (see page 79-80)
BACHELOR OF ARTS OR SCIENCE DEGREE IN
POLITICAL SCIENCE
CONCENTRATION IN AMERICAN POLITICS
Area F: Courses Related To The Area Of Study - 18 hours
POLS 1101 - 3 hours
POLS 2101 - 3 hours
ECON 2105 - 3 hours
ECON 2106 - 3 hours
Language 1002 level - 3 hours
CSCI 3 hours or ENGL 3160 (Technical Writing) or Language 2001 (required for B.A.)
MAJOR AREA
1. Required Courses (18 hours)
SOSC 3301 - 3 hours
SOSC 3302 - 3 hours
POLS 4470 - 3 hours
POLS 42xx (International Relations) - 3 hours
POLS 43xx (Political Theory) - 3 hours
POLS 31xx or 41xx** (American Politics not listed below) - 3 hours
2. Concentration Courses (21 hours)
POLS 3122 (Parties/Electives - 3 hours
POLS 4110 (Congress) - 3 hours
POLS 4111 (Presidency) - 3 hours
12 hours from the following:
SOCI 3350, 3180 or 3500 - 3 hours
MGMT 3661 - 3 hours
MGMT/PSYC 4669 - 3 hours
3000-4000 HIST courses focusing on American History - 3 hours
3. Internship (12 hours total credit required)
POLS 4485 - 12 hours
Students must perform two 6 hour credit internships in any two of the following five areas: Interest groups, political parties, political campaigns, administrative offices and legislative/executive offices.
Electives to bring the total to 120 hours, exclusive of the PE requirement.
Basic Physical Education Requirement:
Military Science Requirement (for military students):
U.S. & Georgia Constitution and History Requirement
Regents' Skills Test or exemption (see page 79-80)
MAJOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Core Curriculum Requirements - 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 86. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.
Area A no exceptions
Area B no exceptions
Area C no exceptions
Area D no exceptions
Area E Criminal Justice majors should not take POLS 1101 in Area E.
This course is required in Area F.
Area F: Courses Related To The Area Of Study - 18 hours
CRJU 1100 3 hours
CRJU 2001 3 hours
CRJU 2002 3 hours
SPAN 1002 or CSCI 1100 and CSCI 1150 3 hours
SOCI 1160 3 hours
POLS 1101 3 hours
MAJOR AREA
1. Required Courses (21 Hours)
SOSC 3301 3 hours
SOSC 3302 3 hours
CRJU 3000, 3010, 3310, 3311 & 3312 15 hours
2. Field of Specialization (18 hours)
Students must take six 4000-level Criminal Justice or Social Science courses. Students, through consultation with their academic advisor, should develop a concentration in one or more of the five areas of spe- cialization offered by the program (police, corrections, courts, behavior, or general).
3. Internship (12 hours)
CRJU 4850c - 12 hours
4. Electives (9 hours)
Nine credit hours to bring the total number of credit hours to at least 120 hours, exclusive of physical education requirement.
Basic Physical Education Requirement:
Military Science Requirement (for military students):
U.S. & Georgia Constitution and History Requirement
Regents' Skills Test or exemption (see page 79-80)
Minor in Political Science
Students must take 15 hours of political science course work beyond POLS 1101. At least 9 hours must be from upper division courses.
Minor in Criminal Justice
Students must take CRJU 1100 and 15 hours of criminal justice or social science course work. At least 9 hours must be from upper division courses.
Internship Policy
Department of Political Science/Criminal Justice
The Department of Political Science/Criminal Justice believes that all students who apply for an internship must be personally and psychologically equipped, as well as academically prepared for the experience. Interns are representatives of North Georgia College & State University, and therefore, must have a strong personal character consisting of maturity, integrity and high ethical standards. A student may be denied entry to an internship by the Department, if the student, based on the professional judgment of the criminal justice faculty, has a questionable character or has exhibited behavior that indicates erratic, unpredictable or unsuitable conduct, including but not limited to:
-Known Honor Code or Academic Integrity Violations
-Frequent Tardiness
-Rudeness
-Erratic Behavior
-Known Alcohol and Drug Problems
-Known Criminal History
-Psychological Instability
-Poor Academic Performance
-Deceitful Behavior and/or Lying
This policy is based on the premise that criminal justice faculty should be a part of the evaluation of a student’s ability to function adequately and safely in a criminal justice setting and that the faculty have a right and responsibility to make such judgment prior to placing a student in an internship.
The internship coordinator has the authority to withdraw a student from an internship if a student’s performance constitutes a detriment to other personnel at the internship site or if the student behaves in a nonprofessional manner during his or her internship. Information and documentation related to the withdrawal may be based on the direct knowledge of the internship coordinator or from information forwarded to the coordinator by the internship agency.
A student may appeal an internship denial or withdrawal by requesting that an appeals committee hear their case. The appeals committee will consist of two criminal justice or political science faculty members who are not intern coordinators and one faculty from another academic department. The student may appeal his or her case a second time by presenting the case to the Dean of the School of Business and Government.
A student who is denied an internship may be allowed to fulfill his or her graduation requirements by taking an equivalent number of academic courses as specified by their Academic Advisor and the Department Head. Courses will be selected that enable the student to meet the program’s goals including completion of a capstone paper project.
Students are required to have a GPA of 2.0 in order to apply for an internship.
COURSES IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
POLS 1101 is a prerequisite for all 3000-4000 political science courses.
POLS 1101 American Government - 3 hours
An intensive examination of the Constitution and the three governmental divisions. The course includes a study of the national government in its relation to the states. Examples from the government of Georgia are included.
POLS 1101H American Government, Honors 3 hours
An intensive examination of the Constitution and the three governmental divisions. The course includes a study of the national government in its relations to the states. Examples from the government of Georgia are included. The course incorporates the academic standards maintained by the honors program.
POLS 1150 Global Citizenship 2 hours
This course will introduce students to regions of the world of significant political, economic and strategic importance. The second portion of the course will allow students to place themselves within this global community, and to realize that their actions have global impact. Through the examination of diverse global issues, students will realize that as citizen-leaders they are agents of positive change.
POLS 2101 Introduction to Political Science 3 hours
The purposes of this course are to define the discipline of political science, and to study political systems and their environments, political inputs, governmental structures, governmental authorities and processes and policy outputs and impacts.
POLS 2401 Global Issues 3 hours
An analysis of the basic forces which govern the behavior of nations in their relations with one another. This study of world power conflicts, diplomacy and international cooperation is designed to acquaint the student with the basic issues and areas of conflict among the nation-states of the contemporary world.
POLS 3105 American Constitutional Law 3 hours
An examination of the development and nature of the American constitutional system through Supreme Court cases defining interrelationships of the executive, judicial and legislative branches and the relationships of the states to the national government.
POLS 3106 State and Local Government 3 hours
An examination of the organization and functions of the state and its political subdivisions. Wherever possible, the state government of Georgia will be studied for illustrative purposes.
POLS 3122 Political Parties and Elections 3 hours
A study of U.S. political parties, including their development, functions, and significance as democratic institutions and policy making instruments. The election process and voter behavior are also examined.
POLS 3123 The Road to the White House 3 hours
This course covers the presidential selection and election processes, raising several theoretical questions about elections and examining the empirical evidence available to answer those questions. In particular, the issues of campaign finance, media coverage, and candidate selection will be covered.
POLS 3124 The Road to the Congress 3 hours
This course covers congressional elections, exploring theoretical questions about the process and examining the empirical evidence available to answer those questions. In particular, roles of political parties, interest groups, and electoral rules are among the major items examined in the course.
POLS 3201 Introduction to the European Union 3 hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce the European Union (EU) from a multidisciplinary perspective. Aside from substantive knowledge about the EU, students will be challenged to sharpen writing, analytical, and oral communication skills.
POLS 3203 East Asia Political Systems 3 hours
This course is an introduction to the political systems of East Asia. In this course, students will become acquainted with the domestic politics of many states in East Asia.
POLS 3204 International Organization 3 hours
Although the absence of any overarching political authority serves to characterize world politics as anarchical, nation-states and other international actors have increasingly coordinated their actions in world affairs throughout the twentieth century. The study of international organizations is the study of that cooperation.
POLS 3208 Politics of Latin America 3 hours
This is an introductory course that deals with the politics of Latin America. It assumes no prior coursework in the area. The objectives of this course are to understand contemporary political, economic, and social structures within a historical and theoretical context, and to constitute a basis for informed critical appreciation of the importance of Latin America. We will explore the roots of the major political and economic changes that have swept Latin America during the last century. The course presents a brief historical overview of the region as well as a discussion of current social and economic problems. We will discuss four basic models of Latin American politics (populism, revolution, authoritarianism, and democracy). Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the causes and consequences of cycles of democratic and authoritarian rule. Although the course will focus on issues affecting the region as a whole, some lectures and readings will examine how these trends affected specific countries in the region (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Peru).
POLS 3302 Political Socialization and Public Opinion 3 hours
Recommended for students in the secondary education program. A survey of political socialization, the process through which a citizen acquires knowledge, opinions, and behavior about politics and government. The course explains how public opinion develops and evaluates whether public opinion influences public policy.
POLS 3310 American Political Theory (W) 3 hours
An analysis of the ideas underlying government and politics in the United States through a survey of American political thought from colonial times to the present.
POLS 3315 Political Philosophy 3 hours
An analysis of ideas of selected Western political philosophies from Plato to modern political philosophers. Most readings will be taken directly from each philosopher’s writings.
POLS 3333 Religion and Politics 3 hours
The course is designed to analyze the way religion and politics influence one another. The course presents a history of religion in America, outlines the major religious traditions and investigates how religious beliefs motivate individual political behavior.
POLS 3350 Contemporary Political Problems (W) 3 hours
An examination of the major political issues and controversies which are current in domestic and/or world affairs. The course is designed to analyze both the nature of a problem as well as its importance to the political order.
POLS 3505 Model United Nations 3 hours
This course will work in conjunction with a student's participation in the NGCSU Model UN team. In this course, students will be introduced to structures within the United Nations, basics of parliamentary procedure, and how particular countries articulate their viewpoints as delegates to the United Nations. Enrollment in this course is only by permission of instructor.
POLS 4103 Political Leadership (W) 3 hours
The course will focus on a variety of historical and contemporary figures to determine how their leadership styles and ideas on leadership have influenced and motivated both individuals and groups of people in the political sense. Assignments and discussion will center on what strategies, motivations, tactics, and actions constitute an effective political leader.
POLS 4104 Public Administration 3 hours
An analysis of the theory, basic principles, and practices of public administration in the United States through a study of organization, management, budgeting, personnel, administrative leadership, and characteristics of modern bureaucracies.
POLS 4110 Congress (W) 3 hours
This course covers the United States Congress as an institution and explores its evolution and its place in the political process.
POLS 4111 American Presidency (W) 3 hours
An analysis of the role and function of the American presidency, from both a historical and analytical perspective.
POLS 4112 Judicial Processes 3 hours
Cross-listed as CRJU 4412. A systematic study of the judicial system and its role in the administration of justice.
POLS 4113 The Legislative Process (W) 3 hours
This course examines the formulation and implementation of legislation and how the structure and dynamics of political institutions affect it. The focus is on how executives and legislatures cooperate and conflict in shaping policy.
POLS 4120 Civil Liberties 3 hours
An analysis of the case law surrounding the constitutional guarantees of the personal and social freedoms derived from the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.
POLS 4151 Legal Research and Moot Court 3 hours
An introduction to legal research, analysis, and writing. The course will culminate with a simulated courtroom exercise.
POLS 4201 Comparative Government 3 hours
A study of universal political principles and an application of these principles to the study of political systems on a comparative basis.
POLS 4202 Comparative Security Issues (W) 3 hours
This course is designed as an examination of both traditional and non-traditional security concerns. Issues such as military security, environmental security, and resource security will be covered.
POLS 4203 Korea in the World System (W) 3 hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce the advanced student of politics to the factors that led the South Korea's adoption of democracy, as well as the post-Cold War foreign policy initiatives of South Korea that were a result of the new found legitimacy of the democratic government.
POLS 4204 International Political Economy 3 hours
This course is an introduction to the major theories of international political economy. International Political Economy (IPE) examines the mix between government involvement in the economy and economic influence in governmental affairs. Historically, the role of government involvement has ranged from complete control over the economy, as in centrally planned economics, to mercantilist states where economic interests drive governmental policy.
POLS 4205 Eastern European Politics 3 hours
This course provides a brief history of the entire area, an in-depth study of Eastern Europe’s geographical location between the two traditionally ambitious countries of Russia and Germany and its consequences and a study of nationalism and its effects. An examination of the differences between Slovophilies and Westerners in Russian politics, a study of communism, and a look at the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
POLS 4206 Russian Foreign Policy 3 hours
This course is designed to enable the student to understand the nature of foreign policy in general and Russian foreign policy in particular. The topic will be taught from the point of view that Soviet foreign policy was a continuation of foreign policy goals of pre-Bolshevik Russia.
POLS 4207 Politics of Western Europe 3 hours
A study of the politics and governing institutions of the principal nations in Western Europe, including an examination of the role of the European Union.
POLS 4208 Politics of Latin American Development 3 hours
Latin American countries share a common past of colonialism, war, poverty, authoritarianism, political instability and foreign intervention. They differ, however, in the way they have tried to deal with this legacy. Although more attention will be dedicated to understanding their collective experiences since 1945, this course examines the struggle for political and economic development from the time they became independent to the present.
POLS 4220 Spies and Statecraft 3 hours
A study of the organization of the U.S. Intelligence. Community and selected other national intelligence services, including the People Republic of China, Russia, and Israel.
POLS 4302 Twentieth Century Political Theory 3 hours
An analysis of modern political thought with an emphasis upon the doctrines of nationalism, national socialism, communism, and capitalism.
POLS 4310 Political Leadership (W) 3 hours
The course will focus on a variety of historical and contemporary figures to determine how their leadership styles and ideas on leadership have influenced and motivated both individuals and groups of people in the political sense. Assignments and discussion will center on what strategies, motivations, tactics, and actions constitute an effective political leader.
POLS 4320 International Relations Theory 3 hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce the political science student to foundational theories of International Relations. Viewpoints of acceptable behavior and the nature of man of evolved continually in the field of international relations. We will examine this evolution as well as the role of the state as the continuing foundation of world politics.
POLS 4330 Public Policy 3 hours
An analysis of major policy decisions and the impact of these decisions on the American political system.
POLS 4390 Ethics in Government 3 hours
The nature of politics that necessitates coalition-building, bargaining, and compromise seems to train political actors to skirt ethnical issues, often spilling over into acts of self-aggrandizing behavior and breaches of public trust. This course will present philosophies, models, and analytical approaches to ethics that will help future politicians and public servants to identify ethical problems, to address them methodically, and avoid scandalous incidents, and to provide sound forms of public service.
POLS 4410 Seminar in American Political Institutions 3 hours
This is the senior course in the American Politics concentration. It provides an analytic survey of the major institutions of the American political system. It is designed to focus on the theoretical and empirical work of many of the major political scientists in the American politics subfield. The objective of this course is to familiarize students with the research of these political scientists and to promote intensive reading, writing, and research in this field on the part of students.
POLS 4444 Terrorism and Political Violence 3 hours
An examination of the evolution of terrorism and political violence with emphasis on the new dimensions of terrorism and the risks to U.S. national security interests, topics covered will include: weapons of mass destruction, information-based terrorism, homeland defense, and terrorism as a transnational phenomenon.
POLS 4470 Senior Seminar in Political Science (W) (O) 3 hours
This course is a capstone experience for political science majors. The course provides an analytic survey of the subfields within the discipline and involves intensive reading, research, and writing on the part of students.
POLS 4480 Independent Study in Political Science 3 hours
A supervised research project under the guidance of a member of the political science faculty. The topic will be selected with approval of the instructor. The purpose of the course is to enable students the opportunity either to pursue more detailed study of the content of a prior course or to analyze a topic not currently covered in the political science curriculum.
POLS 4485a Internship in Political Science 3 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 3 hours of internship can be used toward fulfilling the major requirement in Political Science.
POLS 4485b Internship in Political Science 6 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 3 hours of internship can be used toward fulfilling the major requirement in Political Science.
POLS 4485c Internship in Political Science 9 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 3 hours of internship can be used toward fulfilling the major requirement in Political Science.
POLS 4490 Studies of the European Union 3 hours
The purpose of the course is to provide an in-depth analysis on a selected aspect of the European Union (EU). Prior approval of the instructor is required. The course may be taken on multiple occasions so long as the instructor verifies that the topic is not being repeated.
POLS 4590 Special Topics in Political Science 3 hours
The topic of this course will vary depending on timeliness and on instructor and student interest.
COURSES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Criminal Justice 1100 is a prerequisite to all upper-level Criminal Justice courses.
CRJU 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 hours
This course is a general overview of the American criminal justice system. The system is composed of several relatively separate institutions which contribute to the process as a whole. Each of the major divisions (police, courts, and corrections) will be examined for its contributions, assumptions, and interrelations.
CRJU 2001 History of Criminal Justice 3 hours
This course is a historical overview of the development of the concept of criminal justice in Western civilization and the United States. The course will concentrate on the ideas and philosophies that shaped our culture and attitudes toward crime and law.
CRJU 2002 Introduction to Law Enforcement 3 hours
This course will introduce the student to issues and concepts associated with American policing. The purpose of the course is to discuss the characteristics and operational missions of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Special emphasis is placed on historical influences and the conflicting roles with which the profession has struggled.
CRJU 3000 Criminal Law 3 hours
This course examines both the substantive criminal law and the procedures for its implementation. It will concentrate on the historical developments and contemporary forms of criminal definitions. This course will also deal with the more abstract concepts of responsibility and limitations on prosecutions.
CRJU 3010 Criminal Procedure 3 hours
This course focuses on the fourth, fifth, sixth and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Emphasis is on police searches and seizures as regulated by the 4th Amendment. Students will read opinions of the Supreme Court and discuss the impact of those decisions on the balance between individual privacy and societal interests.
CRJU 3310 Juvenile Justice 3 hours
This course is an overview of the juvenile justice system in America. It will explore causation, processing, and rehabilitative programs in the juvenile justice field from both historical and practical perspectives. Emphasis will also be placed on ethical and legal issues that are relevant to the processing of juvenile offenders.
CRJU 3311 Corrections 3 hours
This course acquaints students with the philosophy, processes, problems, and issues in corrections, historically and in contemporary America.
CRJU 3312 Criminology 3 hours
This course explores criminological theory and its policy implications from the late 18th century to the present. Emphasis is on social and social psychological explanations of criminality, such as differential association, anomie, labeling and social control.
CRJU 4000 Criminal Investigations 3 hours
This course introduces investigation methodology and includes the theory of investigation as conducted at the scene of the crime, collection, and preservation of evidence, the use of informants, techniques of surveillance, and presentation of cases in court.
CRJU 4001 Police Problems and Practices 3 hours
The problems and conflicts of urban policing are explored through contemporary scholarly research. Topics include police use of force, vehicle pursuits, corruption, domestic violence, and community-oriented policing.
CRJU 4002 Crime and Drugs 3 hours
The course is to provide a basic orientation, conceptual framework, and technical vocabulary for the study of illicit drugs. The course will introduce the subject of drug abuse, estimate the extent of the problem, and examine the relationship between drug use and crime. The course provides students with a proper grounding in the pharmacological, sociological, and criminal dimensions of the drug problem. The history of drug legislation in the United States, international and domestic drug trafficking, and drug law enforcement are examined.
CRJU 4003 Police Administration and Management 3 hours
A study of the contemporary law enforcement agency and an analysis of its organization, staffing, budgeting, control, coordination, planning and related processes.
CRJU 4004 Criminalistics 3 hours
An introduction to the problems and techniques of scientific investigations in the criminal field. Emphasis will be placed on familiarizing the student with the role of science and technology in modern law enforcement.
CRJU 4005 Advanced Criminalistics 3 hours
Prerequisite: CRJU 4004. This course will examine concepts, field-tested techniques and procedures, and technical information concerning crime scene investigation. Special attention will be given to the various forensic laboratory disciplines and their respective practitioners. Focus on the initial responding officer and duties of the investigator, and on various types of crime scenes will be emphasized.
CRJU 4110 Ethics in Criminal Justice 3 hours
A study of morality and ethical systems and their application to the ethical dilemmas encountered within the American criminal justice system. Emphasis will be given to Deontological and Teleological perspectives on policy and decision making in the law enforcement, legal, and correctional systems.
CRJU 4111 Evidence 3 hours
An intensive study and analysis of the rules of evidence as they apply to criminal cases. Particular emphasis will be placed on burden of proof and hearsay evidence, as well as the principles of exclusion and selection.
CRJU 4112 Judicial Processes 3 hours
Cross-listed as POLS 4112. A systematic study of the judicial system and its role in the administration of justice.
CRJU 4151 Legal Research & Moot Court 3 hours
Cross-listed as POLS 4151. An introduction to legal research, analysis, and writing. The course will culminate with a simulated courtroom exercise.
CRJU 4120 Civil Liberties 3 hours
An analysis of the case law surrounding the constitutional guarantees of the personal and social freedoms derived from the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.
CRJU 4200 Alternatives to Incarceration 3 hours
Prerequisite: CRJU 3311. An exploration into historical and contemporary approaches used in managing the offenders in lieu of places of incarceration. The course examines the rationale for such alternatives, current applications, issues and problems surrounding such programs, and their effectiveness in the correctional process.
CRJU 4210 Advanced Studies in Corrections 3 hours
Prerequisite: CRJU 3311. Studies in institution-based treatment programs and community based treatment for pre-trial and post-trial programs are examined. Emphasis will be placed on the impact and operational aspects of these programs.
CRJU 4220 Spies and Statecraft 3 hours
A study of the organization of the U.S. Intelligence. Community and selected other national intelligence services, including the People Republic of China, Russia, and Israel.
CRJU 4250 Law & Society 3 hours
Cross-listed as SOSC 4250. The basic concepts and origins of the law are applied to contemporary legal issues, such as capital punishment, minority issues, crimes without victims, and the law as a weapon of social control.
CRJU 4300 Victimology 3 hours
An examination of the interrelationships between victims and offenders. Topics include patterns of victimization, both historically and demographically. The issues associated with governmental strategies for victim assistance and compensation will also be examined.
CRJU 4310 Criminal Typologies 3 hours
This course examines the offender characteristics and behavioral patterns of individuals who commit crimes of interpersonal violence and/or sexual assault. Emphasis will be upon the motivational beliefs of the offenders, and how these beliefs influence the manner in which they select victims and carry out their attacks. The offenses of sexual homicide, mass murder, workplace violence, serial rape, child molestation, armed robbery, and similar crimes will be the primary focus of the research and discussion in this course.
CRJU 4320 Data Analysis 3 hours
Prerequisites: SOSC 3001 and 3002. Provides students with “hands-on” experiences and understanding of computerized data analysis in the criminal justice field. The course prepares students to integrate the principles learned in research methods and statistics with computer technology in analyzing data situations likely to be encountered in the research and planning sectors of the criminal justice profession.
CRJU 4330 Occult Crime 3 hours
An examination of the claims that influence the law enforcement preoccupation with occult crime, with particular emphasis on objectivists versus constructionists orientations toward the study of this new model of criminality. Students develop the skills to practice restraint, introspection, and critical analysis when investigating activity that may be centered around deviate behavior related to the occult.
CRJU 4340 Advanced Criminological Thought 3 hours
Prerequisite: CRJU 3312. This course focuses on modern criminological theory from 1960 to the present. Emphasis will be on the radicals, the conservatives and the integration of theories. Students will be expected to read the original writings of leading criminologists. This course is taught in a seminar format and recommended for upper-level students.
CRJU 4350 Family Violence 3 hours
Cross-listed as SOSC 4350. An interdisciplinary examination of the main areas of family violence: spousal abuse, child abuse, sibling violence, etc. Research in the field will be reviewed and factors related to causation and prevention.
CRJU 4400 Legal Liabilities of Criminal Justice Personnel 3 hours
An examination of the liability issues that confront criminal justice professionals in the performance of their duties.
CRJU 4410 Future Trends in Crime 3 hours
This course will focus upon those factors and trends which affect and will continue to affect crime and criminal justice agencies into the 21st century. The major demographic trends discussed in this course include the aging of the American population, the dwindling pool of the young, the increased role of women both as criminals and as criminal justice personnel, and the growing ethnic and racial diversity of society and criminal justice agencies. Economic, legal, and technological trends of the future will also be examined.
CRJU 4444 Terrorism and Political Violence 3 hours
An examination of the evolution of terrorism and political violence with emphasis on the new dimensions of terrorism and the risks to U.S. national security interests. Topics covered will include: weapons of mass destruction, information-based terrorism, homeland defense, and terrorism as a transnational phenomenon.
CRJU 4500 Independent Study in Criminal Justice 3 hours
Independent study in criminology, penology, social problems, human relationships and related topics.
CRJU 4590 Special Topics in Criminal Justice 3 hours
This course will be an in depth examination of a specialized topic in criminal justice field. The content and requirements of this course will vary depending on the instructor and the subject of the course.
CRJU 4850c Criminal Justice Internship (W) 12 hours
Students will be assigned to a criminal justice related agency to work a minimum of 320 hours. A student must have completed 18 hours of CRJU course work prior to enrollment in this course. As part of the course requirements students will prepare a “capstone” paper integrating their work and class experiences.
COURSES IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
SOSC 3301 Research Methods in the Social Sciences (W, O) 3 hours
Prerequisite: MATH 2400. This is an introductory research methods course whose purpose is to familiarize students with the language, important concepts, and processes of social science research. Students will acquire skills for understanding and critiquing research, designing a research project, collecting and coding data, and performing elementary computer data analysis.
SOSC 3302 Statistics for the Social Sciences 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOSC 3301 or SOCI 3020. The purpose of this course is to provide an intuitive and computational orientation to the typical statistics that social science professionals encounter. This course presents the foundations of descriptive and inferential statistics, with a concentration on those specific procedures likely to be utilized by practicing social scientists (e.g., causal models), and a brief overview of multivariate techniques likely to be found in social science publications and research reports. Students will acquire skills for performing both elementary and advanced (computerized) statistical analysis, as well as interpreting and presenting statistical results.
SOSC 4250 Law and Society 3 hours
Cross-listed as CRJU 4250. The basic concepts and origins of the law are applied to contemporary legal issues, such as capital punishment, minority issues, crimes without victims, and the law as a weapon of social control.
SOSC 4350 Family Violence 3 hours
Cross- listed as CRJU 4350. An interdisciplinary examination of the main areas of family violence: spousal abuse, child abuse, sibling violence, etc. Research in the field will be reviewed for factors related to causation and prevention.
